Make no mistake about it. I LOVE Matt Flynn, and have since he spanked the Miami Hurricanes in the 2005 Peach Bowl in his first ever college start at LSU.

Would Green Bay backup Matt Flynn be an instant upgrade over Matt Moore?

He’s a playmaker, which he showed in his two NFL starts the past two years.

He’s a winner, which he showed leading the Tigers to a National Championship.

But let us not misunderstand something. Being a playmaker, and a winner doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to be a franchise quarterback.

Flynn’s an NFL mutt, which puts him in the company of quarterbacks like Matt Moore, who lacks the rocket arm, stellar physique, and overall pedigree it takes to become an early draft pick.

But Kurt Warner was a mutt. Tony Romo is a mutt. Matt Schaub’s a mutt. Didn’t stop any of those players from turning into franchise quarterbacks.

The same could happen to Flynn if he gets the opportunity.

Considering the struggles the Dolphins franchise has had finding a solid, stable, healthy quarterback, one with enough upside to build around, it would be wise for this franchise to pursue Flynn as a free agent considering Miami’s situation.

First, if he’s not franchised by Green Bay – and I doubt he will considering it would guarantee Flynn about $15 million for 2012 and expose tight end Jermichael Finley – he’ll be FREE.

Second, if Joe Philbin is the team’s pick as head coach then Flynn is familiar with the west coast offense Philbin will install. Mike McCoy and Todd Bowles might also want a piece of the action considering Kyle Orton or Jason Campbell are the next best option on the 2012 quarterback free agent market.

Third, Miami is presently behind Cleveland and Washington in the race for Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, which means it will likely take a king’s ransom (probably two first-round picks, and two second round picks AT LEAST) to move ahead of both teams to select the Heisman Trophy winner.

Fourth, the second tier quarterbacks – Ryan Tannehill, Nick Foles, Brandon Weeden, Case Keenum – are solid options in the second and third round (they’ll rise higher than they should because of the supply and demand issue), but are they REALLY franchise quarterback material? And if not, are they worth the time and investment it would take for them to develop (think at least two years).

That brings us to Flynn, who sizzled in his overtime win over the Lions last month. That performance drove up his price tag, but a closer look at his big numbers revealed some concerns.

ISSUES OBSERVED

Just about everyone of Flynn’s throws against the Lions were from the shotgun. Me…no…like.

Flynn has a strong enough arm, but its not a rocket. This might become a concern playing in the Meadowlands, and in Buffalo.

Flynn’s first touchdown to Jordy Nelson was a quick out to Nelson, who beat the cornerback for the touchdown with a shake and bake move. That’s not a big time throw. It’s a great play by his receiver.

The big screen pass that tailback Ryan Grant scored on, which came on a hot read from a blitz, had more to do with the player and the blocking than the quarterback.

Flynn potentially threw a pick-6 to Alphonso Smith by making a bad read, going to the Jordy Nelson well one too many times.

His best throw to Nelson, which was good for a touchdown came on a free play because of an offsides penalty. Not sure Flynn would have thrown it deep if it wasn’t a free play. Smart play though.

The conclusions I made from watching every snap of that overtime win against the Lions, which did feature a kill…..is Flynn benefited from good playcalling by the Packers (Aaron Rodgers was supposedly calling the plays), loved Flynn’s aggressive approach, and Jordy Nelson is a beast.

The bottom line…. Flynn’s performance against Detroit and New England last year showed he can read defenses, and throws accurately when on the move. It’s clear he has upside.

However, it would be in his best interest to play for a west coast offense (either following Philbin where he lands, or going to Cleveland).

But is Flynn worth a five-year, $50 million dollar contract? I’d love to say he was, but two solid games doesn’t warrant it. But if the price is right why not take the risk because Flynn could be the next Matt Schaub.

Comments (252 Comments)

Looks like McCoy could be the man. He is in his 2nd interview in NY today, after they interviewed both Bowles & Philbin.
The young 39yo must have that young Shula look for Ross n Jeffey in Ross’s fancy NY office…lol.

If we run a WC offense or are reasonably sure we can tailor the offense to his strengths, then sign him. The money would be right unless someone overpays for him. If that’s the case, it would be CLE or WAS which may help us in the RG3 hunt. If not, so be it. Holding onto picks is more valuable than giving away the farm for someone who we really have no idea if he will be great or merely good.

I say trade Hartline because the rams are gonna need wide receivers and then also throw in the trade possibly sean smith or maybe even 1 of the d-lineman that we will have because were deep at that position and then along with that a first and second round draft pick so that way we can get robert griffin the third

If McCoy gets the nod…then we’ll be sending a message to the rest of the NFL that we are serious about the QB position.
If we then draft a QB in the 1st round…even louder message!
this is a QB driven league and you need a HC who knows how to coach that position…I like the move.

Omar..I’m not saying this because I do not agree with you or disagree with you, but J.Montana didn’t have a rifle for an arm and besides I thought most QBs are judged by accuracy and really quick decision making in less than 5 secs ? Right ?

My god, enough of this crap already, don’t draft this QB, he might be a bust, don’t trade for this guy, he wants too much money, don’t sign the free agent, HE MIGHT BE FOOLS GOLD. Take a freaking chance. Stop cheaping out on the QB position. GEEZ. Pull the fruckin trigger!

The only way I want flynn is if philbin is HC. Otherwise he seems the same as moore. And moore costs the team no extra. If philbin is here and installing his offense, sign flynn just for his knowledge of the system. Moore deserves a shot at starting if daboll is still OC.

Daboll will be gone. The new coach will bring his own people in. THats how it works. That’s why Nolan booked. I say sign Flynn, draft two more, see who can fling the rock. Moore is decent, but not a star. If he would have one great fourth quarter I’d say different but he didn’t.

Wrong. NOLAN “booked” b/c he wasn’t even being considered for the HC position. And rightfully so. There was no reason, NONE, for NOT considering Mike Nolan for the HC job. He’s merits consideration and an interview – at the very least!

Yes his fool’s gold he cannot be worth a big contract by just playing 2 games in the NFL plus dude was a 7th round pick for a reason his a backup for a reason i do not get why people are so enamored with Flynn when you can clearly see that the Packers offense is so dynamic with or without Rodgers plain n simple and the TD’s that Flynn threw were all possible due to playmaking ability of the players around him.Miami doesnt need another Kolb or even a J.feely even though he wont cost draft picks but he will cost alot of money why not just invest in RG3 and be set at QB we need to find stability at that position and it doesnt matter if it cost two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders as long as we know we got the QB of the future and we all know RG3 will be a great QB in this leauge for a long time lets not let another 1 get away Brees,Rodgers even Dalton got away lets not make the same mistake that we have been making for the past decade.MIAMI GET RG3 MAKE IT HAPPEN AND OUR OFFENSE WILL BE EXPLOSIVE GUARANTEED

Could not agree more. I also like the idea of trading hartline, s. smith, merling, our 1st n 2nd rnders to STL for #2 pick to get RG3. QB prob solved. Sign desean jax, colston or vincent jax to play opposite BMarsh n we have playmaking weapons. Reggie n thomas r ok. Try to upgrade fasano with a good seam threat TE but if not Fasano n Clay will still be ok, IMO. Just give us sum excitement Steven Ross, because the only excitement you have given Fins fans since u got here is when we laugh about your ginormous DUMBO ears. Your doors are ajar!!!!!

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More